Almond tree (Garden Princess)

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of almond tree which is of small size, upright in growth, being a regular and productive bearer of medium size, soft shell, sweet kernel almonds. The tree is further characterized by having foliage of medium size leaves, an abundance of dark pink bloom, the blooming and harvest time being essentially with Mission Almond (unpatented).

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The present variety of almond tree was originated by me in myexperimental orchard located near Modesto, Calif., from a secondgeneration seedling of a cross between Merced Almond (U.S. Plant Pat.No. 1,730) and a genetic dwarf peach seedling with double red flowers. Aselected seedling from the first generation having desirablecharacteristics, including self fertility, was selfed to give a largenumber of seedlings from which this new and distinct variety ofself-fertile, soft shelled almond was selected.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE VARIETY

The present variety was asexually reproduced by budding, as performed byme at my experimental orchard located near Modesto, Calif. and showsthat such reproductions and said characteristics run true to form andare established and transmitted through succeeding propagations.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The present variety of almond tree is of medium vigor, dense and uprightin growth, a regular and heavy bearer of medium size soft shelled sweetkernel almonds; the tree is further characterized by having large showydark pink bloom giving the appearance of an attractive ornamental thatproduces sweet kernel almonds which are easy to harvest and hull, theharvest time being essentially with Mission Almond. The variety beingself fruitful and also having the ability to serve as an effectivepollenizer for other varieties of almonds.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying photographic reproductions in color show typicalspecimens of the foliage, blossoms, and nuts of my new variety, withupper and lower surface of the foliage being illustrated and a branchwith clusters of nuts attached; nuts in the hull, nuts out of hull, butin shell and kernels out of the shell.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The botanical details of the new and distinct variety of almond tree,its foliage and nuts as based upon observations of specimens grown nearModesto, Calif. The color terminology (except those in common terms) inaccordance with Reinhold Color Atlas by A. Kornerup and J. H. Wanscher.

Tree:

Size.--Small. Approximately 2/3 height of Merced.

Vigor.--Medium.

Density.--Dense.

Production.--Productive.

Bearing.--Regular.

Trunk:

Form.--Stocky.

Texture.--Medium.

Branches:

Form.--Stocky.

Texture.--Medium.

Lenticels.--Medium number and size.

Branching habit.--Upright.

Leaves:

Size.--Small. Average length -- 31/4". Average width -- 1".

Shape.--Ovate.

Thickness.--Medium.

Texture.--Smooth.

Margin.--Crenate.

Petiole.--Medium length. Medium thickness.

Color.--Upper surface -- Grayish green (28-F-8) to (29-F-8). Lowersurface -- Dull green (28-E-6) to (28-E-7).

Glands.--Number 2 to 6. Usually two, alternate, primarily on petiole.

Bloom:

Amount.--Heavy.

Color.--Dark pink (12-A-5) to (12-B-6).

Blooming period.--Usually 4 to 5 days after Merced Almond.

Crop:

Bearing.--Regular bearer.

Production.--Heavy.

Harvest period.--Approximately with Mission.

Hull:

Outer surface.--Slightly rough.

Suture.--Ridged.

Dehiscence.--Opens freely.

Splitting.--Along suture.

Nut:

Size.--Average length -- 11/8". Average width -- 5/8".

Form.--Length/width -- Ovate. Width/thickness -- Medium plump.

Shell.--Soft.

Color.--Brownish orange (5-B-5).

Pits.--Small, numerous.

Base.--Square to ventrally oblique.

Apex.--Acute.

Wing.--Broad and thin.

Percentage of kernel to nut.--Average 58%.

Kernel:

Size.--Average length -- 3/4". Average width -- 7/16".

Form.--Length/width -- Ovate. Width/thickness -- Medium plump.

Base.--Usually round, some slightly straight.

Apex.--Acuminate. Slightly prolonged at tip.

Texture.--Smooth to wrinkled.

Pellicle.--Thin.

Number of doubles.--Few.

Flavor.--Sweet.

Quality.--Good.

Color of skin.--Orange-yellow (5-B-8).

Color of meat.--White (1-A-1).

The tree and its nuts herein described may vary in slight detail due toclimatic and soil conditions under which it may be grown; the presentdescription being of the variety grown in my experimental orchard nearModesto, Calif.

The following is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct variety of almond tree,as illustrated and described, characterized by the tree being smallsize, upright in growth, and a heavy regular bearer of medium size,sweet kernel nuts harvesting at the same time as Mission; the tree isfurther characterized by its heavy set of dark pink bloom, blooming 4 to5 days after Merced, and being self-fertile.